Dennis Seidenberg has taken the next step in his remarkable return from an ACL and MCL tear.

The Bruins defenseman took light contact after the formal portion of Monday's morning skate, per several reporters. He took some contact from teammates Jordan Caron and Andrej Meszaros following many of his teammates leaving the ice.

Seidenberg had been skating for over a month, but had yet to be touched while on the ice. The 32-year-old is on record saying he thinks he could play now, but the team and the medical staff would not allow him to come close to playing in a game without first taking contact.

By taking some contact, the chances are improving that Seidenberg could play at some point in this postseason. That's a theory that has not been dismissed by anyone with the Bruins, although general manager Peter Chiarelli has said repeatedly they are not counting on it.

It would still likely take some time for Seidenberg to ramp up back to the level where the team would feel comfortable inserting him in the lineup. They won't risk permanent damage to a player about to enter a four-year, $16 million contract.

However, his return could be welcome. Matt Bartkowski and Meszaros have alternated as the No. 2 left-side defenseman and have both had struggles against the Canadiens in this second-round series, which the Bruins lead 3-2 entering Monday's Game 6. Even a rusty Seidenberg might be an improvement.

It's now been 18 weeks since Seidenberg's Jan. 7 surgery at Mass. General. He was originally projected to miss 6-8 months.